37 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 37 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost full-term — just another 2-3 weeks to go! He weighs close to 3 kilograms (or 6 1/3 pounds), and measures about 19 inches.He hasn’t got too much to grow right now — just a little bulking up. At this point, his kicks and somersaults might feel extremely intense since there’s very little amniotic fluid left inside your womb. Braxton Hicks contractions have become more frequent — pay close attention to them, as contractions that last about one minute each can be a sign of preterm labor!

Contents:

Pregnancy Symptoms at 37 Weeks

Pregnancy Symptoms at 37 Weeks

What to Expect:

Week 37 comes with many of the symptoms you’ve been experiencing over the past two months. With your belly growing every day, it’s no doubt that walking, standing, and even lying down can be very uncomfortable. Eating normal-size meals might also make you uncomfortable, so consider eating smaller ones to ease up the discomfort.

Feeling slow and sluggish? That’s perfectly normal during the last month of pregnancy. Take it easy and do your best to relax — this might be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Once your baby is born, you’ll go through many restless nights, trips to the doctor, and lots of crying, so you won’t have much time for sleeping or resting.

This week, you might expel the cervical mucus plug. What does this mean in practical terms? Your vagina will expel lots of discharge that’s pinkish, bloody, or blood-tinged — this is called a “bloody show.” Some women have their bloody show when they pee, so they don’t actually see either the discharge or the blood.

Have you noticed any stretch marks on your tummy, thighs, or bum? Expect more in the weeks to come. While they form due to broken collagen fibers under the skin, stretch marks usually occur due to inheritance — so if your mother had them, you’ll have them too.

Your Baby at 37 Weeks

How big is a baby at 37 weeks? During week 37, your baby has already reached 6-7 pounds, and measures about 19 inches — almost the size of a honeydew melon. With most organs now fully developed, he’s got just some bulking up to do. He’ll spend the remaining 2-3 weeks developing his brain and lungs, which are still immature. Your baby’s hair should also measure between 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inches long at birth. Don’t be surprised if his hair doesn’t look like yours or your partner’s — there are many factors that play an important role in the baby’s genetics!

Your baby’s intestines are building up meconium, a blackish substance that’s made up of amniotic fluid, lanugo, and vernix caseosa. Meconium will be part of your tiny human’s first bowel movement once he’s out of the womb. Since there’s very little space left for him, there will be almost no somersaults or acrobatics, although kicking will stay pretty much the same.Call your caregiver immediately if you notice a decrease in your baby’s activity. By now, he should be in an engaged position — but if he isn’t, your midwife might suggest cephalic inductions to help him move upside down.

Ultrasound Images of 37 Week Pregnancy

Bellies at 37 Weeks

Pregnancy Tips

At 37 weeks pregnant, there isn’t much to do other than prepare in case of preterm labor. Have all emergency numbers within easy reach, and keep your phone with you all the time. Once contractions start, you’ll be in pain, so reaching to your phone will be challenging. If at all possible, keep all numbers on speed dial so it’s easier to get to the hospital on time.

Remember that, if your mucus plug is expelled by the vagina, labor is just a few weeks away — or less.